The United States of America is a great country and this is not a political debate. This country is not among the healthiest populations despite many medical advances. The purpose of this article is not to be critical, but rather discuss health and longevity. Our country seems to have the magic pill syndrome in which it requires fast results regardless of consequences in health and longevity. Extreme nutrition concepts like ketogenic (Atkins), intermittent fasting, and weight loss supplements as well as claims are rampant. Life expectancy and lifestyle is presented here to establish nutrition and lifestyle parameters for longer and healthier lives.
Hong Kong is the top country in the world regarding life span. The life expectancy for both sexes is 85.29 years. Females outlive their male counterparts with females having a life expectancy of 88.17 years and 82.38 years for males. The reason for these differences is probably multi-factorial and debatable, but will not be examined further here. It is proposed that Hong Kong has quality healthcare and positive social conditions. The climate is also positive with a subtropical environment without extreme weather.
Dan Buettner wrote a book in 2008 called “Blue Zones” which looked for factors associated with the world’s longest living populations. His research concluded that only twenty-five percent of longevity was genetically predetermined with the rest dependent on environment and lifestyle. Although Hong Kong has terrible air pollution, high energy, and high stress life; it still has the highest life expectancy.
The factors contributing To Hong Kong’s longevity is nothing revolutionary, but instead a reminder of what is known to be true. One factor is that people are not alienated with excellent public transportation, elderly have access to outdoor spaces, medical care, and society. This is obviously beneficial mentally and physically.
In Hong Kong, nutrition often takes the form of shopping in wet markets. The elder customers seem to choose the leaner cuts of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Hon Kong’s elderly do not exclude many foods, demonize carbohydrates, no fads, no veganism, or carnivore. They eat lower calories in general with regular servings of all types of foods including dreaded gluten in noodles and dumplings, MSG, sodium from soy and oyster sauce seemingly not having a detrimental effect on health and life span. Hong Kong’s diet contains many satiating elements including the lean meats, fruits, vegetables, soups, and broths which blunt hunger and provides nutrients
Exercise is very prevalent in Hong Kong. Elderly exercisers can be seen in parks, plazas, exercise corners, and rock gardens. Consistency seems more important than intensity. There is a group element and outdoor exercise culture may have significant benefits beyond immediate exercise exposure. The lessons learned or revisited here provide very valuable insight. A longer healthy life does not require a fad diet with severe food restriction or super intense exercise. A consistent moderate exercise regimen, appropriate caloric intake with small meals, and a purposeful, powerful, as well as peaceful lifestyle will most often lead to longer and healthier lives.